Aberdeen City Council said that it is strengthening its commitment to energy transition and combating climate change as part of its spending plans for 2021/22 and the years beyond.
The 拢38.4 million hydrogen investment package agreed in the new budget includes 拢19.4 million for a new production facility hub to power transport and enable the heating of homes.
Other measures include additional electric vehicle charging points and the further greening the Council鈥檚 own fleet.
Councillor Douglas Lumsden, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council, said: "Investments like these keep Aberdeen at the forefront of what it does best 鈥� innovating, working with industry, and driving energy transition within the UK and Scotland.
"The hydrogen industry has the potential to be worth up to 拢25 billion a year to Scotland鈥檚 economy by 2045 鈥� and we are playing a pivotal role.
"We made these budget decisions around the environmental benefits, but also with an eye on the wider supply chain benefits, and I am delighted that Aberdeen is on the map when it comes to leading the hydrogen revolution.鈥�
The ultimate ambition is that Aberdeen could be an exporter of green hydrogen to UK and European markets in the future.
A further 拢19m will be made available over five years to enhance the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and bus programme within the city. And 拢28m was set aside for the Council鈥檚 green fleet replacement programme.
Over the last five years the council has cut its carbon emissions by one third and recently adopted a new climate change plan. Aberdeen鈥檚 role in the global energy transition has been further strengthened by plans for an Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) at Aberdeen Harbour South to develop renewable energy sources.
Lumsden said: 鈥淎s well as unlocking new private sector investment, this work will support industry to leverage existing skills and expertise in the area as well as creating job opportunities.
鈥淎ligning all elements of the net-zero vision for the city, these developments build on projects delivered by the Aberdeen City Region Deal in technology and energy transition.鈥�
Wider Council spending plans include further investment in affordable homes and 拢150m over the medium term to enhance the city centre and beach.
鈥淥ur budget will ensure that economic and environmental success is translated into social success 鈥� lifting people out of poverty, improving health and wellbeing, and offering equal opportunities for everyone to flourish and prosper,鈥� said Lumsden.聽
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